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Obas and Chiefs from the Oke-Ogun zone of Oyo State have pledged their support and loyalty to the present administration in the state led by Governor Seyi Makinde.
The traditional rulers made the pledge made the pledge during a courtesy visit to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Chief Bayo Lawal, in his office on Wednesday.
The monarchs assured that the support would be beyond 2023, due to what they described as laudable developmental projects the governor has embarked on in the state, especially in the oke-ogun area.
Speaking, Onigboho of Igboho, who is also the leader of the monarchs,Oba John Bolarinwa, Olubiyi II, said the team came to familiarise and officially welcome the new Commissioner.
Oba Bolarinwa said all the Obas from the area are happy with the achievements of the Makinde-led administration within its first year in office, a feat he said has signalled a successful term in office that would make another term possible.
He said: “We have come to familiarise and officially welcome the Honourable Commissioner to office and present germane issues that concern humanity and development in the Oke-Ogun area of the state.
“We salute the unbending democratic virtues of Governor Seyi Makinde which is reflected in his people-oriented policies, programmes and actions. He has done well enough for a successful first term, even though he is yet to finish the first two years.
“We are using this occasion to declare our support for him when the next election comes in 2023, he has done well to be trusted with our mandate.”
The Onigboho added that all developmental projects within the state, especially in the Oke-ogun axis would speak for the governor’s laudable efforts.
While presenting their requests to the Commissioner, Secretary to the Council, Oba Abodunrin Kofoworola, the Aare of Ago-Are said the issues they brought before the government include some important developmental projects in Oke-ogun area that still needed the state’s attention like the five percent remittance for local governments and reconstruction of other road networks in the region.
Responding, the Commissioner thanked the Obas for the visit, assuring them of the governor’s commitment to complete the on-going Moniya-Iseyin road in order to link the food basket of the state to the capital and also extend it to Saki town.
He,however, implored the Obas not to yield to falsehood from those he called “political jobbers” as the 2023 elections draw near, adding that they should focus on ensuring peace and progress in their various communities.
Lawal added that the Makinde is committed to engaging in more infrastructural works to promote good road networks and development in the state, despite the low internal revenue and dwindling economy.